19 U.S. Code § 1330 - Organization of Commission

The United States International Trade Commission (referred to in this subtitle as the “Commission”) shall be composed of six commissioners who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. No person shall be eligible for appointment as a commissioner unless he is a citizen of the United States, and, in the judgment of the President, is possessed of qualifications requisite for developing expert knowledge of international trade problems and efficiency in administering the duties and functions of the Commission. A person who has served as a commissioner for more than 5 years (excluding service as a commissioner before January 3, 1975) shall not be eligible for reappointment as a commissioner. Not more than three of the commissioners shall be members of the same political party, and in making appointments members of different political parties shall be appointed alternately as nearly as may be practicable.

(b) Terms of office

The terms of office of the commissioners holding office on January 3, 1975, which (but for this sentence) would expire on June 16, 1975, June 16, 1976, June 16, 1977, June 16, 1978, June 16, 1979, and June 16, 1980, shall expire on December 16, 1976, June 16, 1978, December 16, 1979, June 16, 1981, December 16, 1982, and June 16, 1984, respectively. The term of office of each commissioner appointed after such date shall expire 9 years from the date of the expiration of the term for which his predecessor was appointed, except that—

(1)any commissioner appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which his predecessor was appointed shall be appointed for the remainder of such term, and

(2)any commissioner may continue to serve as a commissioner after an expiration of his term of office until his successor is appointed and qualified.

(c) Chairman and vice chairman; quorum

(1)The chairman and the vice chairman of the Commission shall be designated by the President from among the members of the Commission not ineligible, under paragraph (3), for designation. The President shall notify the Congress of his designations under this paragraph. If, as of the date on which a term begins under paragraph (2), the President has not designated the chairman of the Commission for such term, the Commissioner [1] who, as of such date—

(A)is a member of a different political party than the chairman of the Commission for the immediately preceding term, and

(B)has the longest period of continuous service as a commissioner,

shall serve as chairman of the Commission for the portion of such term preceding the date on which an individual designated by the President takes office as chairman.

(2)After June 16, 1978, the terms of office for the chairman and vice chairman of the Commission shall be as follows:

(A)The first term of office occurring after such date shall begin on June 17, 1978, and end at the close of June 16, 1980.

(B)Each term of office thereafter shall begin on the day after the closing date of the immediately preceding term of office and end at the close of the 2-year period beginning on such day.

(3)

(A)The President may not designate as the chairman of the Commission for any term any commissioner who is a member of the political party of which the chairman of the Commission for the immediately preceding term is a member, or who has less than 1 year of continuous service as a commissioner as of the date such designation is being made.

(B)The President may not designate as the vice chairman of the Commission for any term any commissioner who is a member of the political party of which the chairman for that term is a member.

(C)If any commissioner does not complete a term as chairman or vice chairman by reason of death, resignation, removal from office as a commissioner, or expiration of his term of office as a commissioner, the President shall designate as the chairman or vice chairman, as the case may be, for the remainder of such term a commissioner who is a member of the same political party. Designation of a chairman under this subparagraph may be made without regard to the 1-year continuous service requirement under subparagraph (A).

(4)The vice chairman shall act as chairman in case of the absence or disability of the chairman. During any period in which there is no chairman or vice chairman, the commissioner having the longest period of continuous service as a commissioner shall act as chairman.

(5)No commissioner shall actively engage in any business, vocation, or employment other than that of serving as a commissioner.

(6)A majority of the commissioners in office shall constitute a quorum, but the Commission may function notwithstanding vacancies.

(d) Effect of divided vote in certain cases

(1)In a proceeding in which the Commission is required to determine—

(A)under section
2252 of this title, whether increased imports of an article are a substantial cause of serious injury, or the threat thereof, as described in subsection (b)(1) of that section (hereafter in this subsection referred to as “serious injury”), or

and the commissioners voting are equally divided with respect to such determination, then the determination, agreed upon by either group of commissioners may be considered by the President as the determination of the Commission.

(2)If under section
2252(b) or
2436 of this title there is an affirmative determination of the Commission, or a determination of the Commission which the President may consider an affirmative determination under paragraph (1), that serious injury or market disruption exists, respectively, and a majority of the commissioners voting are unable to agree on a finding or recommendation described in section
2252(e)(1) of this title or the finding described in section
2436(a)(3) of this title, as the case may be (hereafter in this subsection referred to as a “remedy finding”), then—

(A)if a plurality of not less than three commissioners so voting agree on a remedy finding, such remedy finding shall, for purposes of section
2253 of this title, be treated as the remedy finding of the Commission, or

(B)if two groups, both of which include not less than 3 commissioners, each agree upon a remedy finding and the President reports under section
2254(a) of this title that—

(i)he is taking the action agreed upon by one such group, then the remedy finding agreed upon by the other group shall, for purposes of section
2253 of this title, be treated as the remedy finding of the Commission, or

(ii)he is taking action which differs from the action agreed upon by both such groups, or that he will not take any action, then the remedy finding agreed upon by either such group may be considered by the Congress as the remedy finding of the Commission and shall, for purposes of section
2253 of this title, be treated as the remedy finding of the Commission.

(3)In any proceeding to which paragraph (1) applies in which the commissioners voting are equally divided on a determination that serious injury exists, or that market disruption exists, the Commission shall report to the President the determination of each group of commissioners. In any proceeding to which paragraph (2) applies, the Commission shall report to the President the remedy finding of each group of commissioners voting.

(4)In a case to which paragraph (2)(B)(ii) applies, for purposes of section
2253(a) of this title, notwithstanding section
2192(a)(1)(A) of this title, the second blank space in the joint resolution described in such section
2192(a)(1)(A) of this title shall be filled with the appropriate date and the following: “The action which shall take effect under section 203(a) of the Trade Act of 1974 is the finding or recommendation agreed upon by Commissioners XXXXXXX, XXXXXXX, and XXXXXX.” The three blank spaces shall be filled with the names of the appropriate Commissioners.

(5)Whenever, in any case in which the Commission is authorized to make an investigation upon its own motion, upon complaint, or upon application of any interested party, one-half of the number of commissioners voting agree that the investigation should be made, such investigation shall thereupon be carried out in accordance with the statutory authority covering the matter in question. Whenever the Commission is authorized to hold hearings in the course of any investigation and one-half of the number of commissioners voting agree that hearings should be held, such hearings shall thereupon be held in accordance with the statutory authority covering the matter in question.

(e) Authorization of appropriations

(1)For the fiscal year beginning October 1, 1976, and each fiscal year thereafter, there are authorized to be appropriated to the Commission only such sums as may hereafter be provided by law.

(2)

(A)There are authorized to be appropriated to the Commission for necessary expenses (including the rental of conference rooms in the District of Columbia and elsewhere) not to exceed the following:

(i)$54,000,000 for fiscal year 2003.

(ii)$57,240,000 for fiscal year 2004.

(B)Not to exceed $2,500 of the amount authorized to be appropriated for any fiscal year under subparagraph (A) may be used, subject to the approval of the Chairman of the Commission, for reception and entertainment expenses.

(C)No part of any sum that is appropriated under the authority of subparagraph (A) may be used by the Commission in the making of any special study, investigation, or report that is requested by any agency of the executive branch unless that agency reimburses the Commission for the cost thereof.

(3)There are authorized to be appropriated to the Commission for each fiscal year after September 30, 1977, in addition to any other amount authorized to be appropriated for such fiscal year, such sums as may be necessary for increases authorized by law in salary, pay, retirement, and other employee benefits.

(4)By not later than the date on which the President submits to Congress the budget of the United States Government for a fiscal year, the Commission shall submit to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate the projected amount of funds for the succeeding fiscal year that will be necessary for the Commission to carry out its functions.

(f) Treatment of Commission under Paperwork Reduction Act

The Commission shall be considered to be an independent regulatory agency for purposes of chapter
35 of title
44.

Section 203(a) of the Trade Act of 1974, referred to in subsec. (d)(4), is classified to section
2253(a) of this title.

Codification

Provisions of subsec. (c) which prescribed the annual basic compensation of the commissioners were omitted to conform to the provisions of the Executive Schedule. See sections
5314 and
5315 of Title
5, Government Organization and Employees.

Prior Provisions

Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in act Sept. 8, 1916, ch. 463, § 700,39 Stat. 795. That section was superseded by section 330 of act June 17, 1930, comprising this section.

1991—Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 102–185, § 1(c)(1), inserted at end “If, as of the date on which a term begins under paragraph (2), the President has not designated the chairman of the Commission for such term, the Commissioner who, as of such date—

“(A) is a member of a different political party than the chairman of the Commission for the immediately preceding term, and

“(B) has the longest period of continuous service as a commissioner,

shall serve as chairman of the Commission for the portion of such term preceding the date on which an individual designated by the President takes office as chairman.”

Subsec. (c)(3)(A). Pub. L. 102–185, § 1(a)(2)(A), inserted “, or who has less than 1 year of continuous service as a commissioner as of the date such designation is being made” before the period.

Pub. L. 102–185, § 1(a)(1)(A), amended subpar. (A) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (A) read as follows: “The President may not designate as the chairman of the Commission for any term—

“(i) either of the two commissioners with the shortest period of service on the Commission as of the beginning date of the term of office for which the designation of chairman is to be made; or

“(ii) any commissioner who is a member of the political party of which the chairman of the Commission for the immediately preceding term is a member.”

Subsec. (c)(3)(C). Pub. L. 102–185, § 1(a)(2)(B), inserted at end “Designation of a chairman under this subparagraph may be made without regard to the 1-year continuous service requirement under subparagraph (A).”

Pub. L. 102–185, § 1(a)(1)(B), struck out at end “Designation of a chairman under this subparagraph may be made without regard to the limitation set forth in subparagraph (A)(i).”

1990—Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 101–382amended par. (2) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (2) read as follows: “There are authorized to be appropriated to the Commission for necessary expenses (including the rental of conference rooms in the District of Columbia and elsewhere) for fiscal year 1990 not to exceed $39,943,000; of which not to exceed $2,500 may be used, subject to approval by the Chairman of the Commission, for reception and entertainment expenses. No part of any sum that is appropriated under the authority of this paragraph may be used by the Commission for the making of any special study, investigation, or report that is requested by any agency of the executive branch unless that agency reimburses the Commission for the cost thereof.”

1988—Subsec. (c)(3)(A)(i). Pub. L. 100–647substituted “with the shortest period of service on” for “most recently appointed to”.

Pub. L. 100–418, § 1611, which directed that subsec. (c)(A)(i) of this section be amended by substituting “with the shortest period of service on” for “most recently appointed to”, was probably intended to be an amendment to subsec. (c)(3)(A)(i). See amendment by Pub. L. 100–647above.

Subsec. (d)(2)(B). Pub. L. 100–418, § 1401(b)(4)(B)(iv), (v), in introductory provisions substituted “section
2254(a) of this title” for “section
2253(b) of this title” and, in cls. (i) and (ii), substituted “section
2253 of this title” for “sections
2252 and
2253 of this title”.

Subsec. (d)(4). Pub. L. 100–418, § 1401(b)(4)(C), substituted “section
2253(a) of this title” for “section
2253(c)(1) of this title” and “section 203(a) of the Trade Act of 1974” for “section 203(c)(1) of the Trade Act of 1974”.

Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 98–573, § 701, substituted authorization of appropriation of not more than $28,410,000 for fiscal year 1985 for necessary expenses, including the rental of conference rooms in the District of Columbia and elsewhere for provision authorizing appropriation of not more than $19,737,000 for necessary expenses for fiscal year 1983, and inserted provision that not more than $2,500 may be used, subject to approval by the Chairman of the Commission, for reception and entertainment expenses.

1983—Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 97–456substituted authorization of appropriation of not exceeding $19,737,000 for fiscal 1983 for authorization not exceeding $12,963,000 for fiscal 1979, and inserted provision relating to reimbursement by agencies of the executive branch for studies requested by them.

1978—Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 95–430substituted provisions authorizing $12,963,000 to be appropriated for the necessary expenses of the Commission for fiscal year 1979 for provisions authorizing $11,522,000 to be appropriated for similar expenses for fiscal year 1978.

1977—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 95–106, § 2(a), inserted provisions in par. (1) for the Congressional notification of Presidential designations, substituted, in par. (2), provisions covering the expiration of terms of office after June 16, 1978, for provisions covering the expiration of terms of office on and after June 17, 1975, added par. (3), and redesignated as pars. (4) to (6) provisions formerly contained in par. (1).

1976—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 94–455, § 1801(a), inserted provisions that any commissioner may continue to serve as a commissioner after an expiration of his term of office until his successor is appointed and qualified.

Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 94–455, § 1801(b)(2), substituted provisions relating to consideration by the President of determinations of the Commission as to whether increased imports of an article are a substantial cause of serious injury or threat or whether market disruption exists for provisions relating to consideration by the President of findings of the Commission in connection with any authority conferred upon the President by law to make changes in import restrictions.

1975—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 93–618, § 172(a), substituted “United States International Trade Commission” for “United States Tariff Commission” and inserted provision that a person who has served as a commissioner for more than five years (excluding service as a commissioner before January 3, 1975) shall not be eligible for reappointment as a commissioner.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 93–618, § 172(a), lengthened the term of office from 6 years to 9 years for commissioners appointed after Jan. 3, 1975, and substituted Dec. 16, 1976, June 16, 1978, Dec. 16, 1979, June 16, 1981, Dec. 16, 1982, and June 16, 1984, for June 16, 1975, June 16, 1976, June 16, 1977, June 16, 1978, June 16, 1979, and June 16, 1980, respectively, as the expiration dates for the terms of office of commissioners serving on Jan. 3, 1975.

Amendment by Pub. L. 107–210applicable to petitions for certification filed under part 2 or 3 of subchapter
II of chapter
12 of this title on or after the date that is 90 days after Aug. 6, 2002, except as otherwise provided, see section 151 ofPub. L. 107–210, set out as a note preceding section
2271 of this title.

“(A) Modification.—The amendments made by paragraph (1) [amending this section] shall apply to terms beginning on and after June 17, 1990.

“(B) 1-year requirement.—The amendments made by paragraph (2) [amending this section] shall apply to terms beginning on and after June 17, 1996.”

Pub. L. 102–185, § 1(c)(2),Dec. 4, 1991, 105 Stat. 1281, provided that: “The amendment made by this subsection [amending this section] shall take effect on the 10th day following the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 4, 1991].”

Effective Date of 1988 Amendments

Amendment by Pub. L. 100–647applicable as if such amendment took effect on Aug. 23, 1988, see section 9001(b) ofPub. L. 100–647, set out as an Effective and Termination Dates of 1988 Amendments note under section
58c of this title.

Amendment by section 1401(b)(4) ofPub. L. 100–418effective Aug. 23, 1988, and applicable with respect to investigations initiated under part 1 (§ 2251 et seq.) of subchapter
II of chapter
12 of this title on or after that date, see section 1401(c) ofPub. L. 100–418, set out as a note under section
2251 of this title.

Effective Date of 1984 Amendment

Amendment by section 248(c) ofPub. L. 98–573effective on 15th day after Oct. 30, 1984, see section 214(a), (b) ofPub. L. 98–573, set out as a note under section
1304 of this title.

Effective Date of 1977 Amendment

Pub. L. 95–106, § 2(b),Aug. 17, 1977, 91 Stat. 868, provided that: “The amendment made by this section [amending this section] shall apply with respect to the designation of chairmen and vice chairmen of the United States International Trade Commission for terms beginning after June 16, 1978.”

Effective Date of 1976 Amendment

Pub. L. 94–455, title XVIII, § 1801(c),Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1763, provided that: “The amendments made by subsection (b) [amending this section] shall apply to determinations, findings, and recommendations made under sections 201 and 406 of the Trade Act of 1974 [sections
2251 and
2436 of this title] after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 4, 1976].”

Appointment of Chairman in 1992

Pub. L. 102–185, § 1(b),Dec. 4, 1991, 105 Stat. 1280, provided that: “In the case of the term of the chairman of the United States International Trade Commission beginning June 17, 1992—

“(1) section 330(c)(3)(A) of the Tariff Act of 1930 [19 U.S.C. 1330(c)(3)(A)] shall not apply, and

“(2) the President shall designate as chairman a Commissioner who is a member of the same political party as the chairman of the Commission serving on June 16, 1986.”

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